Stenciling apparatus



1939- l L. o. MANKIN ET AL 2,183,223

STENCILING APPARATUS I I Filed April 30, 1938 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TORS.

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A TTOR Ike. 12 1939. L. o. MANKIN ET AL STENCILING APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 30} 19 38 INVENTORS. L. OMcznkin w ATTO EYS.

Dec. 12, 1939. L. o. MANKIN ET AL STENGILING APPARATUS Filed April so, 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet s IN V EN TORS. L.O. Manla'n L;D.Soubie Dec. 12, 1939. LOQMANKWET v 2,183,223

STENCILING APPARATUS 'TSheets-Sheet 4 v Filed April so, 1958 I Mil/L6 I INVENTORISJ L.O.Marrkin ww mg BY Soubier, M Y

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Dec. 12, 1939. L. o. MANKIN ET AL STENCILING APPARATUS Filed April 50, 1938 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS. I L.0.Man]fin L.D.50ubier, M 7

ATTO vs.

wlmvim 7 ShetsJ-Sheet e Nan L. 0. MANKIN El AL.

STENCILING APPARATUS Filed April 30, 1958 Dec. 12, 1939. I

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L. o. MANKIN ET AL STENCILING APPARATUS Filed April so. 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTORS.

L.O.Mankin 7 L17. Soubier, flw Y ATTO Y5.

F-url In QWMN -UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE STENCILING APPARATUS Lawrence 0. Mankin and Leonard D. Soubier,

Toledo, Ohio, asslgnors to Owens-Illinois Glass Company, a corporation of Ohio Application April 30, 1938, Serial No. 205,264

17 Claims. (Cl. 101-124) The present invention relates to stenciling apor lettering to the cylindrical side of each bottle paratus and more particularly to a fully auton the other side of the mold seam. In movin matic stenciling machine designed to decorate to a third decorating zone, the bottles remain in the cylindrical sides and tapered shoulder portheir recumbent position and in passing through tions of bottles, specifically milk bottles. The the. third zone a deco (Jr-lettering is pp principles of the invention are applicable to other to the undecorated side of each bottle by another uses and the stenciling machine may be emset of decorating instrumentalities. Finally, in ployed in the decoration of other articles having v g t a f u decorating Zone, the es curved surfaces such as tumblers,' jars and the are again inclined and a set of decorating instrulike. mentalities in this last zone applies a decora- 10 It is among the principal objects of the invention or lettering to the undecorated shoulder tion to provide a stenciling apparatus which will portion of each bottle. I apply, a decoration or lettering to opposite sides Another Obje t o the invention is to p v de of bottles both in the cylindrical side regions a decorating machine of the character set forth thereof and in the .tapered shoulder portions above in which there is incorporated a p1urality' thereof, the process involving four separate and o independent decorating instrumentelities deindependent decorating operations on the bottl signed for successive cooperation with successive with independent decorating instrumentalities for bottles in the machine and which are bodily moveach operation, thus permitting the application able in the direction of movement of the bottles of designs or lettering in four different colors if passing therebeneath and at the same rate of 20 desired. speed in order that the bottles may be decorated An equally important object of the invention while moving continuously at a constant rate of is to provide such an apparatus in which certain Speed from the initial Point of uction to of the decorating instrumentalities have associthe apparatus to the point of discharge thereof.

ated therewith reciprocable stencil screens for Other objects of the invention, not at this time 25 applying the decorations or lettering to the cylinparticularly enumerated, will become apparent as drical sides of the bottles and in which others of the nature of the invention is better understood the decorating in'strumentalities have associated and the same consists in the novel combination, therewith oscillatable stencil screens for applyconstruction and arrangement of parts shown in ing the decorations or lettering to the tapered the accompanying drawings, in which: 30 shoulder portions of the bottles, all of the stencil Fig. l is a top plan view of a stenciling appascreens being operable to apply the decorations ratus manufactured in accordance with the prinor lettering to the bottles when moving in either ciples of the present invention; d rection; thus obviating distortion of the screen Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view in the manner characteristic of screens which I of a portion of the apparatus in the vicinity of 35 perform the decorating operation in only one a decorating zone; direction. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view In carrying out the above mentioned objects, of a portion of the apparatus in the vicinity of the invention contemplates the provision of a another decorating zone;

40 fully automatic stencil ng machine which will re- Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially 40 c ive the bottles in an inclined position at a re-. along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; ceiving zone and'which will convey the same 8110- Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken substantially cessively throu h a first decorating zone wherein along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3; a set of stenciling instrumentalities are brought Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially into action to apply a vitreous enamel composialong the line 6-6 of Fig.5; 45 tion to the tapered shoulder portions of each Fig. '7 is an enlarged sectional view taken subbottle on one side of the mold seam by the sp-readstantially along the line l-| of Fig. 4; ing action of a squeegee which forces the enamel Fig. 8 is a sectional view similar to Fig. '7, showthrough the pervious portions of a stencil screen. ing the parts thereof in a different position;

From the first decorating zone the bottles are Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially 50 successively conveyed to a second decorat ng zone along the line 9-4 of Fig. 5; and, upon approaching this latter zone, the bot- Fig. 10 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 9, tles assume a recumbent position for proper 00- showing the parts thereof in a different position; operation with a set of decorating instrumentali- Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken 5 ties in the second zone which apply a decoration substantially along the line |l--ll of Fig. 4;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view' similar to P18. 11. showing the parts thereof in a different pomtlon; Fig. 13 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken through a control valve employed in connection with the present invention;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view similar to Fig. l3, showing the valve parts in a different position;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line |5|5 of Fig. 14; and

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken substantially.

moved continuously in unison at a predeterminedrate of speed. The chains 2| and 22 are mounted upon and driven by power driven sprockets, 24 and 25, 25 respectively at opposite ends of the conveyor thus eliminating any tendency of the chains to become slack in the medial regions of the conveyor on either side thereof. Tracks or supports underlie the chains 2| and 22 in the medial regions of the conveyor and constitute a portion of the stationary framework 30 of the machine.

The sprockets 23 and 25 are disposed at the receiving and discharge end of the conveyor and are mounted upon a common vertical shaft 21 which is rotatably supported in antifriction bearings, one of which is shown at 28, the bearings being supported on an extension 29 forming a part of the stationary framework 3|), The sprockets 24 and 26 are disposed at the other end of the conveyor and are similarly mounted in antifriction bearings, one of which is shown at 4| and which is carried on an extension 42 also forming a part of the stationary framework 30.

1e sprockets 24 and 26 are disposed at the other end of the conveyor and are similarly mounted in antifriction bearings, one of which is shown at 4| and which is carried on an extension 42 also forming a part of the stationary framework 30.

The two driving shafts 21 and are driven in common in any suitable manner from a suitable source of power such as an electric motor (not shown).

-Still referring to Figs. 1 and 4, a plurality of bottle supporting units U are connected to the upper and lower conveyor chains 2| and 22 at spaced points therearound and each unit has associated therewith a tiltable bottle chuck assembly C which is adapted to convey a bottle B placed thereon at a receiving and discharging zone Z successively past a series of bottle decorating zones Z Z Z and Z At the first decorating zone Z a set of decorating instrumentalities D is adapted to apply decorations or letterings to the bottles B in passing, the decorations or letterings being applied to the tapered shoulder portions of the bottles on one side of the mold seams. At the second decorating zone Z a second set of decorating instrumentalities D is adapted to apply decorations or letterings to the bottles on the opposite sides of the mold seams and on the cylindrical body portions of the bottles. Decorating instrumentalities D and D similar to the decorating instrumentalities D and D, at the decorating zones Z and Z respectively, are adapted to apply decorations or letterings to the cylindrical sides or body portions of the bottles on the first decorated sides thereof and to the shoulder portions thereof on the other sides of the bottles.

Referring now .to Figs. 2 and 4, each bottle supporting unit U includes an angular support 49 providing a table portion 44 and a vertical attachmeut portion 45 by means of which the support 43 is secured to the conveyor chains 2| and 22. The outer end of the support 49 is supported upon a continuous track 49 which extends around the conveyor 29 and which is supported upon a series of standards 91 and which is also supported from the support II. In the straightaway portions of the conveyor 29 the track 45 is of channel-shape in order that the units U may be maintained in parallelism. In the end regions of the conveyor the track 45 is flat to permit the units U to swing as they pass around the ends of the conveyor.

I The bottle supporting chuck assembly C consists of a tiltable plate 49, which is pivoted as at 59 to the plate 49 and which is provided with opposed guideways 5| and 52 between which there is slidably disposed a slide member 53 upon which there is rotatably mounted a head chuck 54. The base chuck 55 is rotatably mounted on the plate 49 and is designed to cooperate with the head chuck 54 in rotatably supportinga bottle B therebetween in such a manner that its axis is parallel to the plane of the plate 49. A coil spring 36 normally urges the slide member 53 inwardly of the plate 49 and thus. when it is desired to insert or remove a bottle in or from the chuck assembly C, it is merely necessary for the operator to force the head chuck 54 outwardly, using the rim of the bottle for this purpose, and remove the bottle from or place the same in the chuck assembly.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 4 it will be seen that when the bottle supporting unitsU are in the vicinity of the first and forth decorating zones Z and Z respectively, the plates 49 associated therewith assume inclined positions thus causing the bottles B to become inclined and present their tapered shoulder portions horizontally to the decorating instrumentalities D or D as the case may be. Toward this end. each plate 49 carries at its inner end a roller which cooperates with the underneath side of a rail 51 which is supported from the stationary framework 9|! and which extends from a point forwardly of the fourth decorating zone Z to a point rearwardly of the first decorating zone Z in the direction of travel of the units U.

Continuing reference to Figs. 1 and 4, the deccrating instrumentalities D at the first decorating zone Z are substantially identical with the decorating instrumentalities D at the decorating zone Z and a description of the former will suffice for the latter. Either set of instrumentalities comprises a slidable supporting block 59 which is capable of reciprocation in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the units U on the conveyor 20 while passing the decorating instrumentalities. The supporting block 60 is slidably disposed on a support 6|. A dovetail tongue and groove connection 52 is provided between the block GI! and the support 5|. A short standard 63 is mounted upon the block 60 and is laterally adjustable thereon by virtue of clamping bolts 64 which extend through slots 55 formed in the base 66 of the standard 63 and which are anchored in the block 60. A tubular sleeve 51 secured to the standard 59 adiustably receives therein one'end of a rod 69 which, in turn, adjustably receives thereover the lower end of a supporting rod 59. A portion of the rod G9 extends vertically and this vertical Portion has r'otatably'mounted thereon a sleeve 10 on which ingtherebetween a screen frame I4 to which there is secured a conventional stencil screen I5. A squeegee supporting. bracket 18 is pivoted for swinging movement in a vertical plane to the rod 69 and a squeegee I1 is adjustably suspended from the lower end of the bracket 10. The bracket I6 is normally maintained in its lowermost position with a squeegee 'II in contact with the screen 15 by means of a coil spring 18 which is disposed between the bracket and an overlying arm I9 .formedon a collar adjustably secured to the rod 69. g

In order tooscillate the stencil screen frame 14 and cause the screen 15 to be moved to and fro across the shoulder portions of successive bottlesB passing .therebeneath with the screen in tangential rolling line contact with the bottles, the gear II meshes with a reciprocable toothed rack 8|. The rack 8| is adapted to be periodically actuated by means of a fluid actuated piston and cylinder assembly 82 including a pisten '98 to which the rack 8| is connected and a cylinder 99. The piston and cylinder assembly 82 is carried atthe upper end of a. bracket 83 which is adjustably secured by means of clamping bolts 84 which extend through a slot 85 formed in the bracket 83 to a standard 59 similar to the standard 63 and similarly secured to the supporting block 60. Opposite ends of the cylinder 99 are connected by means of flexible conduits 86-and 81 to a control valve V the operation of which will be set forth presently.

In order to elevate the squeegee from the stencil screen at the end of each decorating operation as is the-usual custom in stencil screen decoration, a pair of cam members 96 positioned onthe screen frame I4 engage the bracket I6 as thescreen approaches the end of its decorating stroke in either direction to tilt the bracket slightly and cause the squeegee to clear the enamel decorating composition placed upon the screen.

The support 61 is provided with a limit stop.

88 at one end thereof which determines one ex-.

treme position of. the block 00. A cord 89 passes over a pulley 90 and is attached to a weight 9| by means of which the block 60 is normally moved to its extreme position in engagement with the limit stop 88. Inorder that the squeegee 11 shall during the decorating operation contact the stencil screen 15 along the shifting line of contact between the bottle and screen, a spring pressed detent 92 (see also Fig. 7) projects outwardy operation the roller 94 engages the cam member 95 and is moved inwardly of the support 43, carrying with it the detent 92 which is'drawn clear of the notch 93, thus permitting the weight 9! to ieturn the block 60, together with the decorating instrumentalities carried thereby, to its initial position in engagement with the limit stop 88 ready for advancement when the next unit U comes into decorating relation at the decorating zone Z -During the decorating operation on one bottle the stencil screen is adapted to move in one direction, while during the decorating operation on the next succeeding bottle the screen is adapted to move in the other direction. Thus there is no lost motion of the screen nor is the screen obliged to bear the weight of the squeegee except when a bottle is in decorating position therebeneath to receive the full thrust of the latter. Toward this end the control valve V is supported from the framework 30 and is adapted to be engaged successively bya series of tripflngers I00 formed on the various plates 43 to change the position of the valve instrumentalities and periodically direct compressed air or other fluid medium to the alternate ends 01 the cylinder 99.

Referring now to Figs. 11 to 16 inclusive, wherein the valve V and its associated actuating instrumentalities are shown, the valve includes a casing IOI which is substantially cylindrical in design and in which there is mounted for rotation a rotor I02. A' series of ports I03, I04, I05 and I05 are formed in thecasing IM and adjacent ports are designed to be periodically connected together-by means of passages I01 and I08 provided through the rotor I02. The port I03 is connected by means of a conduit I09 to the atmosphere. The port I04 is connected by means of the flexible conduit 81 to one end of the cylinder 99. The port I05 is connected by means of a conduit III to a source (not shown) of compressed air. The port I06 is connected by means of the flexible conduit 88 to the other end of the cy inder 99. When the ports I03 and I04 are in communication through either passage I0'I or I08, the other passage establishes communication between the ports I05 and I06. Thus air is admitted to one end of the cylinder 99 from the conduit III while the other end of the cylinder is exhausted through the conduit I99. The rack 8| is moved to one extreme position thereof while the stencil screen 15 is oscillated, performing its decorating stroke in one direction as it moves, and assumes one of its extreme positions. Upon movement of the rotor throughout an angle of nnety degrees, the ports I04 and I05 are brought into communication by one of the passages I0! or I28 and the other passage connects the ports I06 and I03. With the rotor in this position. air is admitted to and exhausted from the cylinder 99 in such a manner as to reverse the position of the rack SI and oscillate the screen I5 to the other extreme position thereof during which oscillation the screen performs its decorating stroke in the opposite direction.

The control valve V is adapted to be actuated by movement of the bottle supporting units U on the conveyor 20 past the first decorating zone Z; and toward this end the rotor I02 has formed thereon a stem II5 (Figs. 15 and 16) which is provided with a pluraity of ratchet teeth IIG er; anged ninety degrees apart. A spring pressed detent Ill, housed within a boss II8 provided in an cscillatable casing I I9 mounted on the stem I I5, bears against the latter. The casing I I9 has formed thereon a bifurcated torque applying lever I20 and a roller I2I supported between the bifurcations of the lever I20 is positioned directly in the path of movement of the series of fingers I50 (see also Fig. 4) one of which is formed on each of the supports 43. A torque spring I23 concentric with the casings MI and H9 is anchored at its opposite ends to these casings and normally urges the casing H8 to an initial position in which the lever I is in engagement with a limit stop I24 formed on the casing IOI. It will be seen therefore that each time one of the fingers I00 engages the roller I2I the casing II! is moved angular-1y to the position indicated in Fig. 11, and, upon release of the roller I2I, the casing is restored to its initial position as shown in Fig. 12 preparatory to being engaged by the next succeeding finger I00 as shown in dotted lines in this figure. Such periodic and successive oscillation of the casing II8 operates in the manner previously described to index the rotor I02 throughout an angle of ninety degrees, thus actuating the stencil screen and causing periodic oscillation thereof alternately in opposite directions.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 3 and 5, after the units U leave the first decorating zone Z in progressing to the second decorating zone Z with the bottles thereon decorated in the tapered shoulder portions thereon on one side of the mold seams, the rollers 56 successively move out of engagement with the underneath side of the rail 51 and, upon thus being released, the tiltable plates 49 fall by gravity to positions in contact with the table portions 44 of the supports 43. The bottles B thereon are thus caused to assume a recumbent position in order that the cylindrical sides thereof may properly be presented for decoration at the second decorating zone Z by the decorating instrumentalities D.

It is to .be noted that during the decorating operation at the first decorating zone Z the bottles B are rotated throughout an angle of one hundred and eighty degrees by virtue of the tangential rolling line contact between the bottles and the screen I5. Alternate bottles passing the decorating zone Z are rotated in opposite directions by virtue of their contact with the screen but the result is the same inasmuch as the extent of rotation in each instance is precisely one hundred and eighty degrees.

The decorating instrumentalities D at the zone Z are substantially identical with the decorating instrumentalities D at the decorating zone Z and a description of the former will suffice for the latter. Both of these sets of decorating instrumentalities are similar in many respects to the decorating instrumentalities D and D and either set D or D comprises a slidable supporting block I (Figs. 1, 3 and 5) which is capable of reciprocation in a direction parallel to the direction ofmovement of the units U upon the conveyor 20 while passing the decorating instrumentalities. The supporting block I30 is slidably disposed on a support I3I forming a part of the stationary framework 30. A dovetail tongue and groove connection I32 is provided between the block I30 and the support I3I. The block I30 has formed thereon an upwardly projecting standard I33 upon which a fluid actuated piston and cylinder assembly I34 including a piston I28 and a cylinder I20 is adjustably mounted. Piston rods I35 connected to the piston I28 project from the opposite ends of the cylinder I29 and are connected by means of arms I38 to a stencil screen frame I31 having a stencil screen I30 secured thereto. In order to reciprocate the stencil screen I38 in its own plane, means is provided for alternately admitting air under pressure to the opposite ends of the cylinder I20 and toward this end these ends of the cylinder are connected by conduits to a control valve V (or V in the case of the decorating'instrumentalities D which is identical with the control valve V shown in Figs, 13, 14, 15 and 16. The control valve W (or V) is designed for cooperationwith the fingers I00 formed on the supports 43 to reciprocate the stencil screen I38 in the manner previouslydescribed. Toward this end the control valve is connected to the cylinder by means of flexible conduits I30 and I5I.

A squeegee I40 is adjustably suspended from a squeegee arm I which is pivoted to a lug I43 formed on the cylinder I29. A spring I44 normally maintains the squeegee I40 in decorating contact with the stencil screen I38. Cam members I45 similar to the cam members 96 take care of squeegee elevation at the end of each decorating stroke of the screen.

In order that the squeegee I40 shall, during the decorating operation, contact the stencil screen I38 along the shifting lines 01 contact between the bottles and screen, a spring pressed detent I46 (Fig. 9) projects inwardly from each support 43 and is adapted to engage a portion of the block I30 provided by a notch IE0 at one comer thereof. During such engagement between the detent I46 and block I30, the latter is moved with the former at the same rate of speed, the squeegee following the movement of the bottle B in decorating relation thereto. The detent I48 has secured thereto a roller I52 which is designed for engagement with a cam member I53 positioned in its path. Upon completion of each decorating operation, the roller I52 engages the cam member I53 and is moved inwardly of the support 43, carrying with it the detent I46 which is drawn clear of the notch I60. A weight I50, which is attached to a cord I48 that passes over a pulley I49 and is attached to the block I30, returns the block I30 to its initial position in contact with a limit stop I41.

As previously stated, the decorating instrumentalities D and D are identical in their character and function and operation with the decorating instrumentalities D and D respectively and no further description thereof is necessary, it being sufficient to state that during the decorating operation in each of the decorating zones Z Z and Z the bottles B are rotated throughout an angle of one hundred and eighty degrees so that the bottles B are completely reversed prior to presentation at the next succeeding decorating zone. Thus bottles introduced at the receiving and discharging zone Z are alternately decorated on opposite sides of the mold seams and are alternately decorated on the shoulder portions and cylindrical side portions thereof without danger of contamination of the wet decorations previously made when the bottles arrive at a succeeding decorating zone.

In order to bring the tapered shoulder portions of the bottles B into decorating contact with the stencil screen 15 in the decorating ,zone Z, the rail 51 extends to a point forwardly of this fourth decorating zone and is designed for contact with successive rollers 56 prior to arrival of the units U at the zone.

The stenciling apparatus is capable, without any modification whatsoever, of applying decorations or letterings to the cylindrical sides and tapered shoulder portions of two series of botties simultaneously, the bottles being simultaneously introduced into the machine and removed therefrom by two operators, one stationed at each end of the conveyor 20. In such an instance, bottles B proceeding from the receiving and discharging zone Z at one end of the conveyor toward the other 1 end thereof are decorated first in the tapered shoulder regions thereof by the decorating instrumentalities D and are subsequently decorated in the cylindrical body portions thereof by the decorating instrumentalities D Simultaneously, bottles proceeding in the opposite direction on the other side of the conveyor 20 are decorated first in the cylindrical body portions thereof by the decorating instrumentalities D and subsequently are decorated in the tapered shoulder regions thereof by the decorating instrumentalities B. Each operator removes the bottles introduced by the other operator from the machine at his own respective receiving and removal zone.

In order that the decorations shall extendcompletely around the bottles in both the shoulder and body portions thereof, it is necessary to substitute stencil screens having a three hundred and sixty degree sweep across the surface of the bottle during the decorating operation, and in such an instance a different color may be employed for the decorations or lettering applied to the shoulder and body portions of the bottles respectively.

Modifications may be resorted to-within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In an apparatus for decorating articles having curved surfaces by a stenciling process, decorating instrumentalities for applying decorations to the articles in a decorating zone including a reciprocable stencil screen and a relatively stationary squeegee therefor, means for reciprocating said stencil screen, means for continuously and successively moving a series of articles through said zone, and means for bodily moving said decorating instrumentalities in decorating relation to the articles passing through the zone.

2. In an apparatus for decorating articles having cylindrical surfaces by a stenciling process,

decorating instrumentalities for applying decorations to the articles in a decorating zone including a reciprocable stencil screen and a relatively stationary squeegee therefor, means for continuously and successively moving a series 'of articles through said zone, means for bodily moving said decorating instrumentalities in decorating relation to the articles passing through said zone, and means for, reciprocating said stencil screen relative to the squeegee during such movement of the decorating instrumentalities bodily.

3. In an apparatus for decorating articles having cylindrical surfaces by a stenciling process, decorating instrumentalities for applying decorations to the articles in a decorating zone including a reciprocable stencil screen and a relatively stationary squeegee therefor,, means for continuously and successively moving a series of articles through said zone, means operable by movement of the articles through said zone for bodily moving said decorating instrumentalities in decorat ing, relation to the articles passing through said zone, and means for reciprocating said stencil screen relative to the squeegee during such movement of the decorating instrumentalities bodily.

4. In an apparatus for decorating articles having curved surfaces by a stenciling process, decorating instrumentalities for applying decorations to the articles in a decorating zone including a reciprocable stencil screen and a relatively stationary squeegee therefor, means for continuously and successively moving a series of articles through said zone, means for bodily moving said decorating instrumentalities in decorating relation to and in register with the articles passing through said zone, fluid pressure means in-- cluding a piston for reciprocating the screen during such movement of the decorating instru mentalities bodily, a control valve for reciprocating the piston, and means operable by movement of the articles through said said control valve.

5. In an apparatus for decorating articles hav-' ing curved surfaces by a stenciling process, decorating instrumentalities for applying decorations to the articles in a decorating zone including an oscillatable stencil screenand a-relatively stationary squeegee therefor, means for continuously and successively moving aseries of articles through said zone, means for bodily moving said decorating instrumentalities in decorating relation to and in register with the articles passing through said zone, fluid pressure means including a piston for oscillating th'e'scree'n during such movement of the decorating instrumentalities bodily, a control valve for reciprocating the piston, and means operable by movement of the articles through said zone for actuating said control valve.

6. In an apparatus for decorating articles havzone for actuating ing curved surfaces by a stenciling process, decorating instrumentalities for applying decorations to the articles in a decorating zone including a movable stencil screen and a relatively stationary squeegee therefor, means for continuously and successively moving a series of articles through said zone, means for bodily moving said decorating instrumentalities in decorating rela- I tions to the articles in a decorating zone including a movable stencil screen and a relatively stationary squeegee'therefor, a movable support uponwhich said instrumentalities are operatively mounted, a plurality of article supporting units each including means for rotatably supporting an article thereon, means for moving said units successively through the decorating zone, means carried by each unit for engaging said support and moving the same through the decorating zone with the decorating instrumentalities in decorative relation to the article thereon, means for moving the screen relative to the squeegee during movement of the support to apply a decoration to the article, and means for returning the support to its initial position after the decoration has been applied to the article.

8. In an apparatus for decorating articles having curved surfaces by a stenciling process, decorating instrumentalities for applying decorations to the articles in a decorating zone including a movable stencil screen and a relatively stationary squeegee therefor, a movable support upon which said instrumentalities are operatively mounted, a plurality of article supporting units each including means for rotatably supporting an article thereon, means for moving said units successively through the decorating zone, means carried by each unit for engaging said support and moving the same through the decorating zone with the decorating instrumentalities in decorative relation to the article thereon, a piston, fluid pressure means including a control valve for reciprocating the piston, means connecting the piston and screen whereby movement of the former transmits motion to the latter, means carried by each unit for actuating the control valve, and means for returning the support to its initial position after the decoration has been applied to the article.

9. In an apparatus for decorating articles having curved surfaces by a stenciling process, decorating instrumentalities for applying decorations to the articles ina decorating zone including a reciprocable stencil screen and a relatively stationary squeegee therefor, a movable support upon which said instrumentalities are operatively mounted, a plurality of article supporting units each including means for rotatably supporting an article thereon, means for moving said units successively through the decorating zone, means carried by each unit for engaging said support and moving the same through the decorating zone with the decorating instrumentalities in decorative relation to the article thereon, means for reciprocating the screen relative to the squeegee during movement of the support to apply a decoration to the article, and means for returning the support to its initial position after the decoration has been applied to the article.

10. In an apparatus for decorating articles having curved surfaces by a stenciling process, decorating instrumentalities for applying decorations to the articles in a decorating zone including a reciprocable stencil screen and a relatively stationary squeegee therefor, a movable support upon which said instrumentalities are operatively mounted, a plurality of article supporting units each including means for rotatably supporting an article thereon, means for moving said units successively through the decorating zone, means carried by each unit for engaging said support and moving the same through the decorating zone with the decorating instrumentalities in decorative relation to the article thereon, apiston, means connecting the piston and screen whereby movement of the former will transmit reciprocal motion to the latter, a

control valve for causing reciprocation of the piston, means carried by each support for actuating the control valve, and means for returning the support to its initial position after the decoration has been applied to the article.

In an apparatus for decorating articles having curved surfaces by a stenciling process, decorating instrumentalities for applying decorations to the articles in a decorating zone including an oscillatable stencil screen and a relatively stationary squeegee therefor, a movable support upon which said instrumentalities are operatively mounted, a plurality of article supporting units each including means for rotatably supporting an article thereon, means for moving said units successively through the decorating zone, means carried by each unit for engaging said support and moving the same through the decorating zone with the decorating instrumentalities in decorative relation to the article,

thereon, a piston, means connecting the piston and screen whereby movement of the former will transmit oscillatory motion to the latter, a control valve for causing reciprocation of the piston, means carried by each support for actuating the control valve, and means for returning the support to its initial position after the decoration has been applied to the article.

12. In an apparatus for applying decorations to the tapered shoulder portions and cylindrical sides of bottles and like articles, decorating instrumentalities for applying decorations to the articles in a first decorating zone including a horizontally oscillatable stencil screen, decorating instrumentalities for applying decorations to the articles in a second decorating zone including a horizontally reciprocable stencil screen, a plurality of article supporting units each including means for rotatably supporting an article, means for moving said units successively through the decorating zones in succession, means operable upon such movement of the units for tilting the supporting means to bring the tapered shoulder portions of the articles into tangential rolling line contact with the screen in the first decorating zone and to bring the cylindrical sides thereof into tangential rolling line contact with the screen in the second decorating zone, means operable upon movement of the units for oscillating the screen in the first decorating zone, and means operable upon movement of the units for reciprocating the screen in the second decorating zone.

13. In an apparatus for applying decorations to bottles, and endless conveyor, a plurality of bottle supporting units mounted on the conveyor inspaced relationship, decorating instrumentalities for applying decorations to the bottles in a decorating zone, a movable support upon which said decorating instrumentalities are mounted, means normally urging said support into an initial position of rest, means carried by each unit and normally projecting into the path of movement of the support for engaging the latter to move the same through the decorating zone with the decorating instrumentalities in decorative relation to the bottle thereon, means for retracting said engaging and moving means after the support has passed through the decorating zone, and means for actuating said. decorating instrumentalities during movement of the support through the decorating zone,

14. In an apparatus for applying decorations to the tapered shoulder portions and cylindrical sides of bottles, decorating instrumentalities for applying decorations to the tapered shoulder portions of the bottles in each of two decorating zones, decorating instrumentalities for applying decorations to the cylindrical sides of the bottles in each of two additional decorating zones, a plurality of bottle supporting units each including means for rotatably supporting a bottle, means for continuously moving said units successively through the decorating zones in succession, means operable upon movement of said units for tilting the supporting means to bring the tapered shoulder portions of the bottles carried thereby into decorating relation with the decorating instrumentalities in the two first mentioned zones and to bring the cylindrical sides thereof into decorating relation with the decorating instrumentalities in the two last mentioned zones, and means operable upon movement of the units for actuating the decorating instrumentalities.

15. In an apparatus for decorating the tapered shoulder portions and the cylindrical sides of bottles, decorating instrumentalities for applying decorations to the tapered shoulder portions of the bottles in a decorating zone including an oscillatable stencil screen and a relatively stationary squeegee therefor, decorating instrumentalities for applying decorations to the cylindrical sides of the bottles in another decorating zone including a reciprocable stencil screen and a relatively stationary squeegee therefor, means for continuously and successively moving a series of articles through said zone, means for bodily moving the decorating instrumentalities in each I zone in decorating register with the articles passing through the zone, and means for moving the stencil screen of each set of decorating instrumentalities relative to its respective squeegee during movement of the decorating instrumentalities bodily.

16. In an apparatus for decorating the tapered shoulder portions of bottles, decorating instrue mentalities for applying decorations to the shoulder portions of the bottles including a horizontally oscillatable stencil screen, means including a rack and pinion for oscillating said'screen, a cylinder, a reciprocable piston disposed in the cylinder, means connecting said piston and rack, means for supplying motive fluid to the opposite ends of the cylinder, a control valve for controlling the admission of motive fluid to the opposite ends of the cylinder, means for successively passing a series of bottles beneath said screen in decorative relation to the screen, and means operable upon movement of the bottles beneath said screen for actuating said control means.

17. In an apparatus for decorating articles having curved surfaces by a stenciling process, decorating instrumentalities for applying decorations to the articles in a decorating zone including a stencil screen movable in opposite directions and a relatively stationary squeegee therefor, means for continuously and successively moving a series of articles in one direction through said zone, means for bodily moving said decorating instrumentalities in the same direction with successive articles passing through the zone in decorating relation thereto, and means for moving the screen relative to the squeegee alternately in opposite directions during movement of successive articles through the zone.

LAWRENCE O. MANKIN. LEONARD D. SOUBIER. 

